The Louvre has released images of Empress Eugénie’s crown, which was damaged in the heist last October in the museum – but says it will be repaired.
On October 19, 2025, four men raided the famous museum in Paris, escaping with jewels worth an estimated £85 million.
Empress Eugénie’s crown escaped the theft, and was found at the foot of the Apollo Gallery, inside the Louvre
‘While the crown suffered crushing damage and was significantly deformed, it retained its near-complete integrity, allowing for its full restoration,’ the museum said.
The Louvre has also released photographs of the crown – and explained that of the 1,354 diamonds on it, only 10 are missing.
In a state report on the status of the crown, it was revealed: ‘The crown, whose mount is flexible and lightweight, suffered deformation, initially probably due to the stress it experienced during its removal from the display case through the relatively narrow slot made by the angle grinder.
‘This stress caused the crown’s hoops to detach, one of which has already been lost in the gallery.
‘Subsequently, a violent impact most likely crushed the crown.
Images highlight the crown’s damage following the heist last October
Empress Eugénie’s crown before it suffered damage during the theft
‘The crown originally featured eight palmettes of diamonds and emeralds, alternating with eight gold eagles. Today, only one of the eagles is missing. All the palmettes are present, although four have detached from the mount, some of them deformed.
‘The diamond and emerald globe is intact and still attached to the crown’s frame, with no missing elements.’
It added: ‘Originally composed of 56 emeralds, the crown still has them all, and of the 1,354 diamonds, only about ten very small ones, adorning the perimeter of the base, are missing, and nine are detached but have been preserved.
‘Although the crown’s shape has been altered, almost all of its component parts are still present. Only one of its decorative elements is missing.
‘Therefore, its complete restoration will be possible without resorting to reconstruction or re-creation. It will simply involve reshaping its framework.’
The crown dates back to the 1855 Universal Exhibition.
Empress Eugénie’s crown was commissioned by Napoleon III from the Emperor’s official jeweler, Alexandre Gabriel Lemonnier.
It was acquired by the Louvre Museum in 1988.
The Louvre Museum (pictured) acquired the crown in 1988
It was not used for a coronation, and was perhaps not even worn, as Empress Eugénie was never crowned.
The crown of Empress Eugénie is, along with the crown of Louis XV, and the so-called crown of Charlemagne, the only crown of a sovereign preserved in France.
The restoration will be overseen by an expert committee led by the director of the Louvre, Laurence des Cars.
The exact cost of the restoration is unknown, but estimates begin around €40,000 (£34,774).
